San Jose Mercury Article on Coyote Hills

This post refers to the previous post on this article. A few comments:

1. The original article can be read here

2. "While the ideal would be to not develop the land at all, I think it is unrealistic not to seriously consider the builder's plan."

The initiative seems very attainable in this situation. What could the builders plan contain that would placate people who don't want development? Why is it unrealistic not to consider it? I think these people know they have a real problem on their hands. It seems to me that the momentum is on the side of the initiative among the voters despite a flurry of superficial articles. Take for example the mercury poll however small the sample and unscientific. The question and vote is:

Should Patterson Ranch in Fremont be kept as open space or developed for housing?

Pastoral land/open space 603 votes (81%)
Housing 143 votes (19%)

746 people have voted so far

3. "The article also pointed out that by selling the land as "mini-farms" it does not guarantee that the land will be rezoned for development in the future. Then there will be more than one land owner to deal with instead of just one."

I don't see this point in the article. First, there is no way to gaurantee anything in the future for or against in any case. The point about the multiple owners suggests the greater difficulty in getting them to agree in the future. Isn't that the implication? This is a good thing for people who want maximum resistance to development. A similar problem of too many disagreeable owners has slowed down the development of another parcel in Newark.

4. Lastly, I can't help but notice that Donna Olsen, chair of the Tri-City Ecology Center, is quoted repeatedly in these articles with comments that sound so patently propagandistic. Her arguments appear so trite and superficial betraying a very pro-development attitude. I am very curious what her record of "environmentalism" is in our community. I could not find and don't expect to find her record from such a generic website.

Bike ride to coyote hills picnic

Here is some more info for those of you, who want to bike to the Coyote Hill Picnic. We’ll leave after the service on July 9th from Kidango, riding mostly on neighborhood roads . Then cross over the freeway on Central Ave and along the Newark lakes and through Ardenwood farm to the Visitor center. The ride is about 9 miles long and recommended for kids 10 years and older. After lunch we will have a guided tour of the Patterson Ranch(see previous announcement).If you come by car and arrive before us do reserve a few picking benches. We will be there between 12.15 and 12.30. See you there,Michael

Our Environment Matters

Our Environment Matters
Here is an update from Ursel from the city council meeting June 28th :

The City Council voted last night to put the Protect Coyote Hills Initiative on the ballot in November. However, I did not get any positive vibes from any City Council members. Also, the former Mayor, Gus Morrison spoke and said he works for the Patterson family and is doing everything to defeat the initiative. In addition to that, an executive from Cargill Salt was there vehemently opposing us. They want a High Tech complex on their 90 acres which is also part of the initiative. We really need all the help we can get, so let's put another announcement in the Order of Service.

Right now, as it stands, they are planning to build 800 housing units, a school, sports park, church, etc. on the 520 acres of land directly east of Coyote Hills. The traffic impact alone would be more that 15000 trips per day. (calculated by the consultants).


Ursel

coyote hills initiative article in the San Jose Mercury News

I just wanted to share that the SJMN has published articles regarding this issue. The last one was on June 21st. I hope that some of you had a chance to read it. They stated that the developer wants to build 800 homes not 1200. Some of these homes will even be built to be eco-friendly (no specifics on what this means), and that they are going to donate about half of the land to the East Bay Regional Parks - Coyote Hills. Most of the development would be in the areas furthest away from Coyote Hills. Unfortunately it appears that they are going to build a community park/baseball complex close to some of the "sensitive areas". While the ideal would be to not develop the land at all, I think it is unrealistic not to seriously consider the builder's plan. The article also pointed out that by selling the land as "mini-farms" it does not guarantee that the land will be rezoned for development in the future. Then there will be more than one land owner to deal with instead of just one.

The Debate is on, but One Side is Completely Absurd

From the Argus, "FREMONT — The City Council will hear a report Tuesday on an initiative, filed by an environmental group, that would prevent the development of 800 homes on Patterson Ranch."

There is an amazing use of "double speak" in this article when you deconstruct it. For example, the development consultant claims the "800-home development would be friendlier to the environment" than the initiative.

There is a local "Environmentalist", Donna Olsen, a chairwoman of the Tri-City Ecology Center who does a complete logical inversion by suggesting that building 800 homes on Patterson Ranch is more environmentally sound than allowing 8.

I think it would be interesting and worth pressing Olsen to articulate her logic on her position. Can anyone get away with such absurdity except in an article? How about in a public discussion? Pardon the strong tone but accepting passively that these statements constitute a fair and legitimate position can not be abided by reasonable people.


READ THE FULL ARGUS ARTICLE HERE

PS: To see the Full Text of the Initiative see the Friends of Coyote Hills and Fremont Website

You can also get some email alerts and see what they have been doing: "Join us to receive email alerts on what's happening, to find out when your participation will make a difference, and exactly what you can do to make your voice heard. Or just let us know if you have questions and want to learn more -- we'd be happy to talk with you about this. Send email to us at info@fchf.org or call 510-793-5329."

Also there seems to be a Patterson Ranch Web Site with info on previous community meetings.
You can find it here.

Thanks

Council approves nonbinding contract; developer gives Newark $700,000 for consultants

"NEWARK — The City Council has approved an agreement with Sobrato Development Cos. that may lead to the best chance the city has ever had at seeing an 18-hole golf course built."

Click here for Argus Article

Development Has No End

"NEWARK — After more than a decade of waiting, the city could be closer than ever to fulfilling its plan to see an 18-hole golf course, high-end houses and an elementary school built on one of the last large, undeveloped pieces of land in the city."

I do not know the history behind this parcel of land but this is a further example to me that deveopment has no end since every acre of land in the world cannot be kept out of the hands of private ownership. This extends to the oceans, air, even theoretically to outer space itself.

Tonight's council meeting is involves about 1,000 acres in Newark.

The full story is in the Argus at:
http://www.insidebayarea.com/portlet/article/html/fragments/print_article.jsp?article=3966232

Protect Coyote Hills Natural Area Initiative

Thanks for creating this blog, Albert. Just want you to know that we successfully arranged a picnic and tour of Coyote Hills with a knowledgeable guide re: the above initiative. After we win this battle in November (and I hope MPUUC will help win it) we can do all the things you and the others have been talking about. IT IS A FORTUNATE COINCIDENCE THAT MICHAEL JOSS STARTED THIS MPUUC ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE AT THIS MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF OUR CITY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. I will send some information regarding the initiative before we go in the guided tour. Ursel

Educational Coyote Hills Picnic

The first event organized by our new MPUUC Environmental Team, will combine fun, exercise and learning. Many of you signed the Project Coyote Hills Natural Area Initiative. One of the core members of the Friends of Coyote Hills and Fremont , Jana, will lead a guided tour of the Patterson Ranch, the location of the 520 acres of undeveloped farmland, creeks, and seasonal wetlands. The initiative will prevent the development of a 1,200 unit subdivision, school, shopping area, church and sports park.

When : July 9 after the service
Bike : leave at 11:30 am from Kidango
Car: meet us at the Coyote Hills picnic area at 12.30 (near the Visitors' Center )
Lunch : bring your own

For questions about the event please call Ursel 656-3501.

Beyond Conservation, Discovering Root Causes

Welcome to this blog. This is our forum for the free exchange of our ideas and activities.

We had a very lively first discussion today sharing our interests and reasons for meeting. While conservation was an obvious topic, my emphasis is about gaining relevant understanding (self education). Trying to find why a world of rational people cannot prevent the destruction of the environment we depend upon demands a practical answer. My claim is that if we fail to understand the mechanisms of this problem, we are profoundly handicapped or completely misdirected in our efforts to make meaningful change. When we come to a clear understanding of most problems, an amazing thing happens! Suddenly, the corrective course of action becomes clear as well.

Like a physician, we should not be content to treat symptoms but instead should vigorously pursue the root causes of the "disease" with united effort. This is undoubtedly a sound approach though it requires some intellectual effort. Nothing should deter us from this necessity.

A relevant book that may shed light on the global problems we now face is Daniel Quinn's book called "Ishmael". I recommend this book since it beckons to people like us who, without apology, want to make a difference in the world. The book begins, "TEACHER SEEKS PUPIL. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person."

There is a current interest and forthcoming discussion of this book. You can contact me about meeting times and track the discussion on another blog at:
http://ishmaelbookdiscussion.blogspot.com/

Albert
aorubio@hotmail.com